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Junior Pope: Producer of ill-fated movie, Adanma Luke speaks on boat mishap

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Adanma Luke, the producer of the upcoming movie in which the late actor Junior Pope was supposed to be featured, has broken her silence on the recent boat mishap.

Pope, the actor, died on Wednesday after he fell into the River Niger in Asaba, Delta state on his way to a movie location.

The film star was in the company of some other actors and crew members when the incident occurred.

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) earlier suspended all movies involving riverine locations.

Emeka Rollas, the president of the AGN, also warned filmmakers not to work with Luke “until further notice”.

On Friday, Adanma surrendered herself to the police for questioning over the circumstances that led to Pope’s death.

In a series of videos via Instagram on Saturday, Luke broke down in tears as she explained her side of the story.

She described the incidents of the past few days “as a dream” she wished she could wake up from.

“On April 10, we lost five actors who were on their way to a location. Through the means of boat transportation, they had an accident. I have been so traumatised, I have been so cold. This whole thing still feels like a dream to me, I wish I could still wake up from this dream,” she said.

“I have not been able to make any statement since because we have been trying to recover the bodies. I have been providing money to those looking for bodies, providing caskets to enable the bodies are transported to their villages; and to the families that wanted it to be done. I have not been quiet, I have been doing things just so these people can rest. It is so sad that this had to happen on my set.

“I blame myself that I would have been in Lagos, doing my thing in Lagos. I blame myself for coming down to Asaba. I was supposed to be on that boat. My production manager was calling me to bring the memory card so they could start filming and I told him to come and collect it and he was like you know this place is far, please bring it for us. I said okay why have you people not crossed? Why have you not gone to work?

“He said they were waiting for Junior Pope to arrive. Before now on the 9th, they went there on their own and when Junior Pope came, he came on his own, he came alone. So on 10th, when I was preparing to go and drop the card, I was accompanied by my brother’s children. Two kids that were supposed to go with me, were supposed to be on that boat together. Getting there, I saw Emeka. Emeka was my DOP, he was just sitting and I did not see the others.

“I asked Emeka what is it and people surrounded him. Emeka was quiet and I was like, Emeka talk to me, what is it? What is the problem? Why have you not crossed? Where is Ogolo? Where is everybody? Has JP come? He was still quiet. I started shouting what was happening, can somebody please talk to me? Emeka now said JP is dead, Abigail is dead, Friday is dead, Precious is dead.

“He said ‘dem dey inside water’. I said let me go inside, let me be sure that the divers are looking for them. He said ‘there are over 15 divers looking for them inside the water’. I still cannot believe this because these crew members were my family. They have been working with me, if I was shooting in Lagos, they would transport from Asaba to Lagos to come and work with me. All through last year, we stayed together in Lagos, we filmed, worked together.

“… on that said day, I saw my director and Emeka outside. My director told me he did not know what happened. He was in a life jacket, and Emeka too was in a life jacket. There was still one life jacket available, I do not know who took it. My PM told me that they saw live jackets hanging when they got there and he asked the late Friday to even send one to Junior Pope but Junior Pope said it was dirty or so, so he did not take it. Those with life jackets survived. They even told me that when they were in the water, Junior Pope was also there asking if everybody was okay. How everybody is fine?

“That they even threw a gallon to him to use and hold himself, which he was holding that all of a sudden, they did not see him again. It was when they came out that they noticed that he was no longer there because they said divers had come and rescued some of them while other divers were still there trying to rescue others. I asked what could have caused this? He said he did not know but that TC was standing on the speedboat and ringing a bell.”

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Nigerians need to unite if we want actual change, says DJ Switch on planned protest

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Catherine Udeh, the disc jockey and activist better known as DJ Switch, has called on Nigerians to unite ahead of a planned nationwide protest.

Recently, there have been reports that some Nigerians, under various bodies, are planning a nationwide protest between August 1 and 10. The protest, according to the groups, is aimed to show their opposition against the economic hardship particularly the rising cost of living in the country.

In a lengthy post via her X page, Switch urged Nigerians to unite and fight tribal and religious discord “planted by the political class” to dampen the planned protest.

The activist alleged that the political class would continue mismanaging the country’s economy until the citizens decided to save Nigeria.

Udeh claimed some politicians supporting the protest were only doing it for record purposes and to deceive the youths.

Switch, who gained fame for covering the 2020 shooting incident at the Lekki tollgate during the EndSARS protest, also shared other reasons “why Nigerians should join the planned protest”.

“I was not going to speak on this issue because I’ve experienced first hand the cowardice of many Nigerians but my love for Nigeria is literally haunting me! So here it goes. They say that there is a time for everything,” she wrote.

“A time to sleep, play, work, fight or die! Africa as a whole needs to know what f**king time it is! If you recognize what time it is, then you know what to do! Mind you, the cabals running Nigeria, Nigeria especially are smarter than you all might think.

“While they may be on edge about this planned protest, especially after seeing the events in Kenya, I promise you that they can bet their left balls that nothing will happen. That being said, many have been advised to “show” support for our fundamental human right to freedom of expression for two reasons.

“So that there is a record of them supporting it and to guide you all like babies to do your protest and go and sleep. So, the question really is this, do you know what time it is? Because if you don’t, just kukuma go and sleep and If you do, then prepare to take the bull by the horn.

“You need to understand that whether you japa or stay, they don’t care! Nigeria is a mining ground for these devils. They take and take with no single thought or care as to where the nation ends up wasteland!

“The tribal division they’ve sown amongst us was a desperate move on their broken chessboard which should have fallen flat on its face but there are those of us who are so selfish, shortsighted and wicked. They will sell their children for the brown envelope.

“These unfortunate Nigerians that traded their brains and patriotism for alomo bitters are a huge obstacle to those of us that want a working nation. I don’t care what tribe you are from or religion you belong to, we need to unite if we want actual change.

“I’m expecting the bots to call me all sorts of names as usual, like I give a shit! Mosquito disturb me pass those ones. But if you keep missing your opportunity to send these thieves back to where they belong then soon you all will be like the girl/boy who cried wolf!”

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Kunle Afolayan to film ‘Anikulapo’ season two in Ghana

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Kunle Afolayan, the filmmaker, has revealed that some scenes of the second season of ‘Anikulapo’ series will be filmed in Ghana.

‘Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre’, a six-part series produced by Afolayan, premiered on Netflix on March 1.

The mini-series, which was filmed at the Kunle Afolayan Production (KAP) film village in Oyo state, was a sequel to ‘Anikulapo’, the 2022 award-winning film.

In a recent post via his Instagram page, Afolayan disclosed his intention to shoot parts of the forthcoming season in Ghana.

The filmmaker also shared photos from the film location recce in Ghana.

Afolayan said the development is in partnership with Ghana’s National Film Authority.

“Anikulapo series new season. Location recce in Ghana in collaboration with @nationalfilmauthority,” he wrote.

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I’d rather die than give movie role for sex, says Kevin Ikeduba

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Kevin Ikeduba, the Nollywood actor and producer, says he would rather die than cast unqualified actors in exchange for sex.

During a chat on Hip TV’s Trending, the movie star emphasised his commitment to professionalism and high standards in the industry.

He also expressed his frustration with the high rate of unprofessionalism on set, stating that he would rather “die” than compromise his values for sexual favours.

“The movie industry is very big. What works for Mr A, May not work for Mr B,” he said.

“Kevin that people know, instead of giving a girl role for sex would rather die because I am very passionate about what I do. So most times when I meet mediocres on set, it hurts me. I will never ever do that.”

Ikeduba is a known for his versatility and seamless transition from the English-speaking Nollywood to the Yoruba film industry.

His career took off in 2000, and he credits Femi Ogedengbe, his colleague, for introducing him to Saheed Balogun, who offered him a pivotal role in the Yoruba film ‘Omo Alhaja’.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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